The Yemeni head of National Security, Ali Mohammed Al-Anisi, has described the “highest level” of information exchange with Saudi authorities as having a fundamental role in the “inseparable” security of the two countries. Speaking to Okaz by telephone Friday, Al-Anisi addressed a range of issues, including the failed assassination attempt on Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, in Jeddah on Aug. 27, on which he said Yemen “provided information on the attempt”, as well as the media's portrayal of Al-Qaeda and Iran's role in Yemen's security issues in the north. Al-Anisi, speaking in a month that has seen several attacks on Al-Qaeda sites in his country, said that investigations were ongoing and that “no firm figures could yet be provided” on persons of foreign nationality among the captured. “Any Saudis would be returned to the Kingdom, as we have done in the past and just as we have had people returned to us,” Al-Anisi said. Al-Anisi said that the media exaggerated Al-Qaeda's presence in Yemen. “Al-Qaeda is in a lot of countries, and security forces are capable of facing up to them, but it will require time,” he said, adding that Yemeni security services have achieved “some great successes against Al-Qaeda” but without getting the “media coverage they deserve.” “For example,” he said, “of the 23 Al-Qaeda members who escaped from prison, seven were killed in security operations while 13 were captured and returned to prison. Three remain at large.” The security chief said that funding for Al-Qaeda in Yemen came from the sources the organization receives in the rest of the world. “Those who fund Al-Qaeda around the world are known to us. There are sympathizers and organizations attacking Islam, as well as sources that believe they are confronting the United States,” he said. Infiltrator connection The Al-Qaeda connection with infiltrators who have come into conflict with Saudi forces in Jizan is “obvious”, Al-Anisi said. “You might remember the astounding confessions of the Saudi Mohammed Al-Oufi Al-Harbi, along with some channels that have confirmed the link, and then there's Al-Houthi who released a group of persons he captured, and the connection has become known.” Mohammed Al-Oufi Al-Harbi, a senior Al-Qaeda figure in Yemen, handed himself into Saudi authorities in February this year and was later reported as saying that Iran and the Yemeni rebels had a connection with Al-Qaeda in Yemen, and had offered to supply the organization with finance and arms. On infiltrator claims that Saudi forces had penetrated Yemen territory, Al-Anisi said they were “false and have no foundation in truth”. “They want to spread the war by attacking the Saudi border as they think it will become a forgotten war if it remains within Yemeni borders. They want to make it a regional war, but by entering into hostilities at the Kingdom' border they were met with a swift failure,” the security chief said.Iranian connection“If Iran had no connection to what is happening in Yemen it would condemn it and make its position clear,” Al-Anisi said. “Every country has condemned what's happening except Iran.” “The continuation of the war all this time shows that there is strong Iranian support for the rebel groups and terrorism in Sa'ada,” Al-Anisi said. Asked why it was taking so long to announce details of the Iranian ship seized in Yemen waters last October which officials said was transporting arms destined for Yemeni rebels, Al-Anisi said it was still being held and that “the investigation is continuing”. When asked on the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden, Al-Anisi replied: “If the United States don't know where he is, how would we? I think the question should be put to the United States.”
